Saturday, December 8, 2007

Dearest God,

There is a quiet hush in my home this season; it's called peace. I awaken early in the morning, plug in the tree lights, my mantle and piano lights. My frosties on the mantle come to life, smiling happy smiles, the snow flakes sprinkled on the tree begin to twinkle and my creche figures glow, making me realize they are readying themselves for the baby who will join them on Christmas Eve. I put on my Christmas music, just enough to hear it since my husband sleeps. I feel the peace of Christmas. I know it this year.

My heart is feeling peace too. The years of family conflict are pretty much over now. We have quietly come to the conclusion that there are only so many ways to judge and blame. My daughter is coming home for Christmas.

As I stood on the ladder outside, hanging the lighted icicles I felt your peace in the cold, breezy air. I knew that our lights would bless others who will drive by, bringing a temporal peace to a world bent on conflict.

Three hours later I warmed some chicken noodle soup in those Campbell Soup Kids soup mugs and my husband and I sipped the hot soup and talked. Peace resides in my kitchen too.

This season of preparation is lending itself to me to live my mountain experience here at home. The peace I longed for on the mountain is the peace I brought home. Sweet, heavenly peace.

Your light
is aglow
in my home
this year.
Your peace
rests comfortably here.
Your blessing
fills my heart.
Your love
is ever-present.
I send
to you
my love.

Andrea